Thousands of Pakistani Islamists shouted "Death to America" as they protested U.S. drone strikes along the Afghan-Pakistan border and the lifting of a seven-month blockade of routes through which NATO carries supplies into Afghanistan.

The protest on July 17 was organized by Jamaat-e-Islami, a leading member of the Defense of Pakistan coalition of right-wing and Islamist groups.

The protest occurred at Jamrud, near the Torkham border crossing.

Local administration official Bakhtiar Khan said between 18,000 and 20,000 people took part.

Pakistani authorities closed overland routes used by NATO convoys bringing supplies into Afghanistan after U.S. air strikes killed 24 Pakistani soldiers near the Afghan border last November.

The routes were re-opened on July 3, after the U.S. said "sorry" for the incident.